VIII. KING THEODERIC TO AMABILIS, AN EXECUTOR.
[1] It is our heart's concern to protect all people alike, but especially those who we know cannot protect themselves. For the balance of equity will be preserved if we extend assistance to the weaker and set the fear of our authority against the insolent on behalf of the small. The lesser fortune seeks a prince, since those whose public rights are withdrawn fall to the reproach of our rule. [2] Through the tearful petition of Venantius, the guardian of Plutianus, we have learned that his brother Neotherius, having forgotten the bond of brotherhood, has ravaged the child's property with the fury of an enemy. This has moved us, given the severity of the case, since our generosity — which we wish to stand as a monument of our compassion — appears to be usurped by unlawful presumptions. And because in the recovery of a minor's property it is above all necessary to remove the costs of delay, your devotion, fortified by our command, shall — if nothing can reasonably be objected by the accused — cause the claimed property to be restored to the aforesaid guardian without delay. [3] But if there is anything that the retainer's case can allege in his own defense, let a legal undertaking be given beforehand, and let him hasten to come to our court, so that once the arguments have been heard, we may judge according to the custom of our equity.
VIII. AMABILI EXECUTORI THEODERICUS REX.
[1] Cordi nobis est cunctos in commune protegere, sed eos maxime quos sibi novimus defuisse. sic enim aequitatis libra servabitur, si auxilium largiamur imparibus et metum nostri pro parvulis insolentibus opponamus. fortuna minor principem quaerit, quia in vituperationem nostram corruunt quibus se publica vota subducunt. [2] Venantii itaque tutoris Plutiani lacrimabili suggestione comperimus Neoterium fratrem suum, affectum germanitatis oblitum, bona parvuli hostili furore lacerasse. quod nos pro rerum suarum acerbitate commovit, ut largitas nostra, quam velut titulum volumus stare pietatis, usurpata praesumptionibus videatur illicitis. et quia dubium non est in repetitione minoris maxime submoveri dispendia tarditatis, ideoque devotio tua, nostra iussione firmata, si nihil est quod rationabiliter a pulsato possit opponi, postulatas res praedicto tutori faciat sine dilatione restitui. [3] Aut si quid est quod pro suis partibus intentio retentatoris obiciat, legali sponsione praecedente, ad nostrum deproperet venire comitatum: ut allegationibus cognitis pro consuetudine nostrae iudicemus aequitatis.
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VIII. KING THEODERIC TO AMABILIS, AN EXECUTOR.
[1] It is our heart's concern to protect all people alike, but especially those who we know cannot protect themselves. For the balance of equity will be preserved if we extend assistance to the weaker and set the fear of our authority against the insolent on behalf of the small. The lesser fortune seeks a prince, since those whose public rights are withdrawn fall to the reproach of our rule. [2] Through the tearful petition of Venantius, the guardian of Plutianus, we have learned that his brother Neotherius, having forgotten the bond of brotherhood, has ravaged the child's property with the fury of an enemy. This has moved us, given the severity of the case, since our generosity — which we wish to stand as a monument of our compassion — appears to be usurped by unlawful presumptions. And because in the recovery of a minor's property it is above all necessary to remove the costs of delay, your devotion, fortified by our command, shall — if nothing can reasonably be objected by the accused — cause the claimed property to be restored to the aforesaid guardian without delay. [3] But if there is anything that the retainer's case can allege in his own defense, let a legal undertaking be given beforehand, and let him hasten to come to our court, so that once the arguments have been heard, we may judge according to the custom of our equity.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.